Splitting the Atom: Don't try this at Home!

[klr]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... tchen.html

Swedish man arrested after trying to split atoms in his kitchen

A Swedish man has been arrested after attempting to split atoms in his kitchen, claiming that he was only doing it as a “hobby”.

Richard Handl said that he had the radioactive elements radium, americium and uranium in his apartment in southern Sweden when police showed up and arrested him on charges of unauthorised possession of nuclear material.

Handl, 31, said he had tried for months to set up a nuclear reactor at home and kept a blog about his experiments, describing how he created a small meltdown on his stove.

Only later did he realise it might not be legal and sent a question to Sweden’s Radiation Authority, which answered by sending the police.

“I have always been interested in physics and chemistry,” Handl said, adding he just wanted to “see if it’s possible to split atoms at home”.

The police raid took place in late July, but police have refused to comment. If convicted, Handl could face fines or up to two years in prison.

Although he says police didn’t detect dangerous levels of radiation in his apartment, he now acknowledges the project wasn’t such a good idea.

“From now on, I will stick to the theory,” he said.

... he just wanted to “see if it’s possible to split atoms at home”

[devogue]

he created a small meltdown on his stove

I fucking love Scandinavians.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

This is illegal?

[klr]

This is legal?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I actually edited that post.

[klr]

I actually edited that post.

Not quickly enough. Its half-life was too long.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Are you fission for compliments?

[devogue]

Are you fission for compliments?

Fission with a rod.

[Feck]

You all know about this one don't you ?
http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html

[klr]

Are you fission for compliments?

Fission with a rod.

This punning had better fizzle out soon.

You all know about this one don't you ?
http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html

Yup, I saw a link to that one as well.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Are you fission for compliments?

Fission with a rod.

Pile it on!

[Atheist-Lite]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14406766

Swede admits home-made atom experiment was 'crazy'

A Swedish man who tried to set up a nuclear reactor in his kitchen at home has admitted his plan was "crazy".

Richard Handl said he had just been "curious" and wanted to see if he would be able to split an atom.

Police were called to his flat in Angelholm in southern Sweden after he got in touch with Sweden's radiation authority to check if what he was doing was legal.

Mr Handl said he would stick to reading books about physics from now on.

Mr Handl, who is 31 and unemployed, told the BBC World Service he had bought the radioactive materials on the internet and from Germany.

He had been working on the experiment for around six months and posted regular updates on his blog.

He was questioned by police, who confiscated his nuclear materials as well as his computer.

"I had it under control, it was not so dangerous," he told the BBC.

But he added: "It was pretty stupid."

It is unclear what will happen next in the police inquiry. Mr Handl said he expected a fine.

(dis-continued)

Someone find his blog? Would it pay my electricty bill that's just gone up 20%?

[Ronja]

MiM played Handl's BBC interview for me - it was rather hilarious. Industrious guy with initiative...

[MiM]

This is illegal?

Not necessarily. Only if he really got some actual nuclear material or radioactive stuff, which doesn't sound too probable at this point.

On the other hand, everything is possible. There was a guy caught in Holland a few years ago, who purified Thorium in his basement and sold it to the light-bulb industry. Highly illegal, and dangerous to boot.